American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Articles of Agreement between "David Provost on behalf of himself and the other owners of the ship Duke of Cumberland a private vessel of war now Bound out upon a Cruise against his Majesties Enemies of the one part and James Lilley Commander of the said private ship of war...." 3pp, 9 1/4 x 14 3/4 in. (creasing and large tears along folds, small loss at center affecting text). New York, 15 December 1759. Signed by Provost and Lilley, just prior to Lilley's second voyage which departed December 22, 1759. 

Articles of Agreement between "James Lilley Commander of the private Ship of War Duke of Cumberland, of the one part, and John Lambert of the City of New York Shopkeeper of the other part...." 1p, 7 3/4 x 12 1/2 in. (creasing, completely separated at horizontal fold, some losses to edge line affecting text). [New York], 17 December 1759. Signed by Lambert and Lilley just prior to Lilley's second voyage. Lilley and Lambert have outfitted the Duke of Cumberland with a "Pair of Cohorns" (mortars) and Lilley has promised that "said two pair of cohorns shall have and draw two men's full shares of all prizes that shall or may be taken by the said Duke of Cumberland during her said intended cruize." 

[With:] A "Bill of sale of a whole share." Edward Riley transfers ownership of a share of "prize money which is due to me from the cruz maid by the Duke of Cumberland Priveter Cap Liley Commander" to William Milliner. 2pp, 7 3/4 x 12 1/4 in. (creasing, small losses along folds). 16 June 1759. -- A group of 2 documents, both releases associated with mariners who served aboard the Duke of Cumberland, dating to December 1759 and August 1760 respectively, and detailing matters of compensation and the handling of claims against Captain Lilley.

The brig Duke of Cumberland was a privateer outfitted by the British during the French and Indian War to combat the French in the Champlain Valley and the Caribbean. It was commanded by Captain James Lilly (1730-1810), and equipt by him and by its owners prior to taking to the seas. The "Calendar of Historical Manuscripts in the Office of the Secretary of State, Albany, N.Y.: English manuscripts, 1664-1776" contains a 28 September 1758 petition from John Burnet, a New York merchant and one of the owners of the ship Duke of Cumberland, for "16 guns, for a commission for James Lilley to command said ship." Lilley advertised for recruits in the New York Mercury for 4 December 1758. He must have received a favorable amount of replies, as just three weeks later on December 23, 1758, the Duke of Cumberland departed New York harbor on the first of Lilley's two cruises in pursuit of French vessels. Due to illness aboard ship and disontented crew, the Duke of Cumberland was forced to return to New York in the summer of 1759. It's second voyage extended from December 1759 to June 29, 1760. The New-York Historical Society Naval History Society Collection houses Captain James Lilley's log book from the 1758-1760 voyages of the Duke of Cumberland.

RARE. Documents associated with the French and Indian War, and in particular with the war's maritime history, are scarce.